When you want to take care of your dental health, it’s helpful to have a general dentist who can provide a number of different dental services. A general dentist will perform many of the preventative services that patients need to keep their mouths as healthy as possible. This includes twice-yearly complete exams and deep cleanings to get rid of any built-up and hardened plaque before it gets worse.
A general dentist will also perform a number of restorative services to help with problems in the teeth or gums that need treatment. Most general dentists will perform services such as installing fillings when there is a cavity and will perform root canals and install crowns when a tooth is highly damaged. Most general dentists also perform extra services such as teeth whitening that can be done either in the office or at home.
When a patient sees a general dentist, they can refer the patient to an oral surgeon when it is needed if the dentist doesn’t provide those services. Many general dentists don’t do surgery such as installing dental implants or removing teeth. Instead, the dentist is the one who performs the more ordinary dental services that patients need for a healthier mouth.
